The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the fiscal 2024 appropriations bill for military construction and veterans affairs on Thursday, marking the first of 12 spending

measures that Congress must enact by Oct. 1 to avoid a government shutdown.

The House voted 219-211 to approve the $155.7 billion military construction and veterans affairs bill, sending it to the Democratic-led Senate where its chances of success are unlikely.

While this passage may appear as a positive development for Republican hopes of smooth appropriations, challenges lie ahead. House Republican leaders decided to postpone consideration of a second spending bill covering agriculture, rural development, and the Food and Drug Administration until September due to disagreements between hardline conservatives and moderates within the party over spending priorities.

The House's approval of the appropriations bill is only the initial step in funding the government from Oct. 1. Both the House and Senate need to pass their own bills and then negotiate compromises before the legislation can be signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden.

As lawmakers enter an extensive August recess, the two chambers remain significantly apart on spending, with a difference of at least $120 billion. Photo by United States House of Representatives, Wikimedia commons.